Paper Beading

Supplies:

• Paper
  
  • (scrapbook, scraps, newsprint, magazines, book pages, etc.)
• Glue (good ol' Elmer's)
• Elastic jewelry string
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Skewer
• Sealer 
• Beads

1. Decide what type (size/shape) beads you would like to create. This will determine how to cut your paper. You can find many templates online for various paper beads. I went with very simple designs. 

2. I recommend looking at the templates to find one you like. Once you do, you can trace it or mimic it onto your paper using a ruler and a pencil lightly. These 2 types of beads ended up being what I preferred as they were the most simple. 

3. Cut out your strips of paper and get ready to roll! Literally.

4. Wrap the end of your paper around the skewer. With the tail of the paper sticking out, put a light line of glue on the paper facing up towards you and begin to roll the skewer forward into the glue, wrapping the paper around at the same time, smoothing the glue with your finger as you roll. Keep rolling until you have used all of your strand that you want to use (add more glue when necessary).

5. My second set of beads I made were more cylindrical by cutting parallel strips of paper and using the same rolling technique with the skewer. 

6. Coat your paper beads with a clear sealer. I used DecoArt High Gloss Varnish. Paint it on with a paintbrush, be sure to coat every side. Make sure to wash out your paintbrush with soap and water afterwards so the sealer does not ruin the brush. Let the beads dry and that's it! You are good to use them in a beading project! 

7. I used these to make bracelets with for a future program. I used elastic beading string so I wouldn't have to deal with any clasps or rings. I strung the beads onto the string, tied it off, and used the same sealer to coat the knot so that it (hopefully) stays together.

The first bracelet I made, I failed at. Although it had colors I liked, it was just too much for my taste. I also made it way too small. It should have had another handful of beads on it. You can see the gap in the photo. 

Here's some images of my final bracelet that I actually like.